This is brand new construction - is pre-drilling screw holes on doors really that important?

Most of the doors in the house were like this. They are cracked at the strike plate.

On the door of a double door, and on the side wall of the door framing, the wood was cracked at the strike plates.

Why?

Two reasons:

1. No hole was pre-drilled to accommodate the screws. Even a very small hole will prevent the wood from opening up and cracking. Simple, but pre-drilling a hole is important.

2. The screws have been over tightened. Why? Amateur work.

Some doors are like this, some worse. And it is nearly every door in the house.

What will happen over time to this cracking?

Likely it will grow. The door or the framing will become weaker.

And the strike plates become loose.

I happen to see loose strike plates all the time. And this is why.

Yes, pre-drilling is an extra step. Yes, knowing how to tighten the screws properly takes extra care.Yes, a person who doesn't do these things is less than professional. Or ignorant.

Ignorant of what? Basic carpentry techniques.

IF I WAS ASKED TO SAY WHAT I THINK IS THE SINGLE MOST-COMMON PROBLEM WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION I WOULD ANSWER IT WITH ONE SHORT PHRASE:

A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.

People are paying a lot of money for a new house. They are satisfying dreams. They are looking forward to a future there where memories are established, children are raised, and life happens. In some cases families have saved for years to make this purchase.

Sometimes what I find are not major things, but a multiplicity of problems that were created by someone who doesn't care, doesn't know, doesn't understand, or is following instructions. What does this mean?

A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.

On this particular house the buyers were there one rainy day to notice water dripping down from a light fixture. Calling the supervisor he did not believe them. Going upstairs to see why a small section of roof above this point had nails driven through shingles. The nails were exposed and driven THROUGH the shingles!

What had happened was during a high wind storm the shingles had blown up and were loose. So the "fix" was to hold them down more tightly, with nails. What does this mean?

A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.

During our inspection, because this small roof was visible and available, I took the screen off the window to stand on what I could see was a dimple in the roof. It squished hugely. Obviously it was rotten. Just below this spongy, dangerously-weak spot was the light through which the water had been leaking.

Yes, the supervisor did eventually see the leaking and the nails through the shingles above. He had those shingles replaced. But nothing was done about what was obviously a soft area on the roof! The "roofer" nailed new shingles over what was obviously soft wood!! The size of the soft area was about 1.5' x 2'.

Why would any roofer do that? I said it above -- because he "doesn't care, doesn't know, doesn't understand, or is following instructions." What does this mean?

A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING.

Well, they will be fixing this now! I also suggested that the insulation inside the ceiling that got wet be investigated and likely replaced. The real repair is more than nailing on new shingles!!

My recommendation: be aware! Be smart! Be in charge! It's your house! You are the boss! And don't ever, ever, ever buy the weak and senseless line that "you don't need a home inspector. The house has already had dozens of inspections." That is a practiced, empty, myopic builder line intended to intimidate you. Keep your antenna high. And hire a home inspector. Your Best Practice.

Comments

So Jay I take it you are trying to tell us something here. If people are advertising themselves as professionals and do work like you are talking about they won't be professionals long. Or for that matter in business.

Hi Jay. It really would seem to be much less costly in the end to do the job right in the first place. Unfortunately "A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM OR BASIC UNDERSTANDING" is job security and therefore OK when you're being paid by the hour.Thanks for sharing a point well made.Bruce

Law of Physics most likely ignored in this case. or at least, they might have been expecting that all wood products are somewhat elastic or flexible; even PVC and rubber could crack when punctured in the right conditions.

Law of Physics most likely ignored in this case. or at least, they might have been expecting that all wood products are somewhat elastic or flexible; even PVC and rubber could crack when punctured in the right conditions.

If the people training the workers do not know how---neither will the workers. Another interesting question is why would you not do it different after the first one split? Critical thinking is missing on many levels today, and the construction work place is merely a mirror of this.

I have to think that its a sign of laziness, they assume the new home buyer will overlook this everytime. Obviously like you mention, this is a sign of professionalism and if they skipped this step they probably skipped others as well.

Oh gosh, how frustrating. It was so avoidable. Just proper planning and care needed. - Debbie

Posted by Women of Westchester Working Together, Women helping Women get ahead (Women of Westchester Working Together) almost 5 years ago

That's crazy on new constuction. I haven't seen that in the builders I work with in Oklahoma City but this is the reason I tell people who buy a new home, get an inspection. It may be new but it is man made.

When showing houses I see more lack of basic skills and understanding in houses that were recently foreclosed than in new construction. It is less forgivable from those who are expected to be professional.

Jay great post, you are absolutely correct, most assembly apprentices as I won't call them carpenters is looking for the quickest way, some interior is piece meal. So the more they can bang out the more bucks they make, but with the quick flip around screw but / drill bit accessories for cordless.
Old carpenters with hand drills and brace and bit would pre drill, same thing as taking another step with nails and putting a blunt tip to avoid splitting.
Some need more education with an older craftsman which are fewer and fewer.
I have built several large custom specs and the finish shows off the house, but a straight framed house helps too.

Jay, I agree with everyone else. Skipping these basic steps will only lead to a weaker door down the future and that's not acceptable. Be present during construction and make sure you get an inspection!

Posted by Jack O'Neal (Conway Real Estate) almost 5 years ago

There may be some weird psychological aesthetics associated with that, but I get the frustration of it for absolutely certain.
Love and light,
Laura

Charlie - your first sentence accurately describes my beef with using 7-11 Construction on job sites. Your second and third sentences accurately describe my beef with using 7-11 Construction on job sites. To the right is a foot print that was made in wet poly when they finished the stairs (tomorrow's blog). There is one in every stair. He took his shoes off so it wouldn't be so visible. There are left and right foot imprints. There are shoe footprints in the sidewalk in front however! These guys are good.

Morgan - see comment to Charlie above. But this buyer and I have had many conversations since. Today is their walk through with the builder and they have a long list of things as you describe.

Chris - you hit on another thing in this house! Do you hear the ringing? I will mail you the kupie doll.

Debbie - see photo above!

Joe - apparently you don't have the, um, problem there that we have here. Would the word "overrun" make sense?

I don't know Robert. I am happy to pay for quality. I have always bought our kids' bikes at the local small bike shops and not Costco or WalMart. They are better bikes and put together right. That extra quality does cost more though. Tell me, why do Apple products, or Bose products, never go on sale? And yet are sold out completely.

Suzanne - around here the smartest thing is to get a really cute home inspector.

Than - LAUGH! The buyers said the cracks were more visible, but they painted them three times to make them disappear!

Dwight - and builders pass off the idea that inspections aren't needed. This kind of crap work is unforgivable.

Richard - the house is the house. Get a good home inspector and your bases are much better covered. Pre-drywall and final inspections are essential.

I've done enough projects to know that predrilling actually saves time! You can always spot one that isn't, and know that they were using an automatic screwdriver until it started skipping and stripping the screw!

I agree with you, price isnt everything, but unfortunately many people think that way... and dont get me started with the bikes, I worked my way through college working at a bike shop, there is a pretty big difference on the bikes and and even bigger difference on the truly professional assembly

Posted by Robert Rauf (HomeBridge Financial Services (NJ)) almost 5 years ago

Glad to hear that Robert! I have always found the local bike shops to be knowledgeable, professional, and eager to please me. And I have lifetime tune ups on bikes purchased.